Andre Higgs, 45, of Watchung, was convicted in June in the killing of Latrena May, a teacher at Pride Academy Charter School and the mother of Higgs' daughter.

Superior Court Judge Ronald D. Wigler sentenced Higgs to life on the murder charge plus another 10 years for possessing a weapon as a convicted felon. He will be ineligible for parole for 68 years.

Latrena May. (Facebook)

During an emotional three-hour hearing, May's sisters recounted her attempts to break away from Higgs.

"She was enjoying her independence, and was through with the jealous, possessive and manipulative behavior," said Tanya May, who has custody of her now-6-year-old niece.

The couple's daughter was inside the East Orange home at the time of the shooting.

Higgs, in shackles and suit and tie, continued to maintain his innocence in a cryptic statement to May's family.

"I want y'all to know, I would never hurt Latrena," he said. "Look into the situation. Look into it."

Higgs shot and killed May on the steps of her two-family home on May 1, 2015.

An East Orange Police officer, Det. Kemon Lee, happened to be driving past the house and saw May flag him down.

Prosecutors say Higgs shot her three times as she was heading down the steps of the porch toward Lee.

Lee then shot Higgs four times, wounding him and forcing him into the hallway of the house, where he hid his gun under a bag of rock salt.

Higgs's lawyers said he owned the home where May lived with their daughter, even though he lived in Watchung with a longtime fiance who had several children with him.

Higgs' lawyer, veteran defense attorney Joseph Rem, told the judge, "I have no explanation for what happened," or what motivated his client to go to May's home, armed, that night.

May's sisters were among several friends and family who gave statements during the sentencing. Higgs' mother, Darlene Higgs, recalled how as a child, he stayed by her side in the hospital 40 years ago after she suffered a stroke.

Others testified that Higgs had been a good provider and an active member of the community, and that his positives outweighed his negatives.

Assistant Essex County Prosecutor Justin Edwab sharply disagreed, however, saying Higgs had an extensive record that included three prior domestic assaults, including one against May and two against the other mother of his seven children.

Judge Wigler castigated Higgs for failing to accept what he had done even during his statement at Thursday's hearing. He also seemed to agree with May's sisters about why Higgs shot the mother of his child.